The 2014 Operational Plan was approved by the KVH Board, and sent to the Minister today to ensure he is satisfied it is consistent with the NPMP. This follows a period where growers had the opportunity to provide feedback on the Plan. However no feedback was received.

The Operational Plan serves as a business plan that will be reported against and revised on an annual basis.

The current use conditions for KeyStrepto™ require growers to read and comply with the KeyStrepto™ User Guide and complete a Site Inspection Record before application. These will be provided by your retailer at point of sale and will be available on the KVH website here.

From Wednesday 1 October, to allay the concerns of bee keepers and mitigate residues on kiwifruit at harvest, growers will be required to register their intent to spray KeyStrepto™.

This will be done via an online tool which will be accessible from the KVH website, Zespri Canopy and AgFirst’s website. Information about how to access the tool will be provided once confirmed.

AgFirst will conduct random audits on behalf of the industry to ensure use conditions are being met.

Orchards that fail to meet these requirements will be subject to future audits and the normal penalties imposed under Global GAP and the Zespri Crop Protection Standard.

Grower News

11 September 2014

KeyStrepto video presentations available on Canopy

11 September 2014

Shane Max, from Zespri’s Orchard Productivity Centre (OPC) has developed the following two presentation videos about KeyStrepto™:
How to use KeyStrepto™—summarising key...

As advised in the KVH Bulletin (31 July) MPI is carrying out two separate processes regarding pollen imports. One is reviewing the import health standard (IHS) for pollen for artificial pollination.

The importation of pollen into New Zealand remains prohibited as the potential risk of introducing further variants of Psa-V and other pathogens is still unknown.

So far advice has been received from a Technical Working Group made up of experts from the kiwifruit, bee and pollen industries. MPI has drafted an assessment of the potential for Psa to be associated with imported pollen. Other pathogens which may also be associated with imported pollen, and which may impact on the kiwifruit or bee industries have been identified by MPI, but have not yet been assessed.

MPI will provide an update on the assessment process by the end of September.

However, MPI has advised it’s unlikely the current prohibition on importing pollen for pollination will be lifted prior to this pollination season, if at all.
Therefore KVH’s earlier advice to growers for future pollination requirements stands:

Last week KVH’s Chief Executive Barry O’Neil and Biosecurity Programmes Manager Andrew Harrison attended the Government Industry Agreement (GIA) Biosecurity Forum in Auckland. More than 40 of the 75 attendees were representing primary industry, including many of horticulture’s product groups.

The purpose of the forum is for all GIA signatories to share their understanding of biosecurity; and work together to enhance the system for all, as opposed to bilateral or multilateral collaboration on organism-specific readiness and response activities that will be achieved through Operational Agreements.

Last week’s meeting included an introduction to GIA, an information session on Import Health Standards and a site visit to biosecurity facilities around Auckland Airport.

Key discussion points from the Forum:

Two industries have now signed the GIA Deed (kiwifruit and pork) and a number of other groups are expected to sign in the near future.

Zespri is running a number of forums to coincide with the release of the 2014-2015 Zespri Crop Protection Standard.

All growers, agrichemical retailers, orchard personnel including contractors, advisors and managers are encouraged to attend the Forums which run from Monday 15 to Thursday 25 September. The forums will be led by Gordon Skipage, Zespri Crop Protection Development Manager.

Agenda:

Key changes to the Standard

Antibiotic use

Integrated pest management

Allowed Other Compound product integrity

To register, please go to the Zespri Events booking system www.zesprievents.co.nz and click on the Roadshow Events list. For more information contact Yolanda Wills by email.

Company Notices

11 September 2014

2014 Momentum Kiwifruit Conference 6-7 November

11 September 2014

The 2014 kiwifruit industry conference will be held on 6 and 7 November at Mt Maunganui’s ASB Arena.
With a theme of ‘The Shape of our Future’ the 2014 Momentum conference will...

The 2014 kiwifruit industry conference will be held on 6 and 7 November at Mt Maunganui’s ASB Arena.

With a theme of ‘The Shape of our Future’ the 2014 Momentum conference will explore the future global competitive environment the New Zealand kiwifruit industry will operate in and how that shapes today’s decision making to make the most of tomorrow.

Tickets are on sale now at www.zesprievents.co.nz booking early bird tickets (before 5pm Friday 3 October) gives a saving of $60.00.

Company Notices

11 September 2014

Future Leadrs Event - Biosecurity with Barry ONeil

11 September 2014

KVH Chief Executive, Barry O’Neil, will present to the Future Leaders Group on the key biosecurity risks to the kiwifruit industry, what the industry is doing to minimise these risks and how we...

KVH Chief Executive, Barry O’Neil, will present to the Future Leaders Group on the key biosecurity risks to the kiwifruit industry, what the industry is doing to minimise these risks and how we will respond if they do arrive in New Zealand. This includes information about Government Industry Agreements (GIA) that are now in place.